Associated Press Fans react at a viewing party at a restaurant in Pittsburgh after Clint Dempsey’s quick goal during the United States’ 2-1 win over Ghana on Monday.

Gene J. Puskar

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Associated Press With their World Cup fate hanging in the balance, manager Juergen Klinsmann will lead the United States men's national soccer team against Germany.

Julio Cortez

Copyright Associated Press

The moment has arrived. The United States’ national soccer team has reached the knockout rounds of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which it will open Tuesday with a Round of 16 match against a very dangerous Belgium team in sunny Salvador.

Belgium poses a bit of a contrast. While not bringing in any experience at this stage, there is a reason why “Diables Rouges” were the fifth favorite when they arrive in Brazil.

Belgium may have the most talented squad in the entire tournament, including 13 players from the English Premier League. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, playmaker Eden Hazard and striker Romelu Lukaku are among the best young players in the world at their positions.

Despite not playing very well so far, Belgium showed its quality by sweeping its three matches in Group H, coming from behind to beat Algeria 2-1 and scoring late to edge Russia and South Korea, 1-0.

Then there’s a U.S., which probably won a game it deserved to draw (Ghana), tied a game it deserved to win (Portugal) and lost to Germany only 1-0 when it could have been much worse.

That said, there seems to be a lot of confidence and optimism coming from the U.S., which is making its fourth trip to the knockout stages in the past six tournaments. And why not? By making it this far, the Americans have already achieved something they weren’t expected to achieve.

Follow the tournament live with Star soccer writer Joe Curley here from June 12 to July 13.